Veep: Iran not to take orders on use of nuclear technology
Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said the country will not take orders from anyone for the use of nuclear technology.
Addressing the inauguration of the new head of the country’s Iranology Foundation in Tehran on Tuesday, Aref said the “essence of Iranian culture is the acquisition of knowledge, even in the most distant parts of the world.”
Aref said the Islamic Republic is steadfast in its independent nuclear policy.
“We must use nuclear technology, like other technologies, to elevate humanity and solve society’s problems. In this regard, we do not consult or take orders, and at the same time, we make it available to everyone,” Aref added.
Iran’s nuclear program has been a source of tensions between Tehran and the West for many years during which Iran has been insisting on the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities while the West has been accusing Iran of deviation in its nuclear energy program towards, what they allege, military purpose.
The western countries, led by the United States, have imposed crippling sanctions on Iran during the years.
In 2015, Iran proved the peaceful nature of its nuclear program to the world by signing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with six world powers.
However, the US, during the first term of the President Donald Trump, unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions against Tehran, which left the future of the deal in limbo.
Now, after nearly 10 years since the signing of the nuclear deal, Trump has expressed his interest in reaching a new agreement with Iran on its nuclear program.
However, his language of threats and imposition of sanctions against Iran have made Iranian officials skeptical of negotiations with the US administration.
Trump last month restored his “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran which includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero.
Iranian officials have said that negotiations under pressure are not meaningful.